The Role of Civil Society Organisations in Serving People with Disabilities in Iraq Post-2020

In post-2020 Iraq, individuals with disabilities, comprising approximately 7.1% of conflict-affected populations, continue to be significantly marginalised. The state is undergoing institutional dysfunction within a "hybrid political order," while over 12,500 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have arisen as essential providers of social services. Nonetheless, CSOs encounter considerable funding obstacles: fewer than 4% of Official Development Assistance (ODA) initiatives focus on disability inclusion. This deficit is exacerbated by a geopolitical transition that emphasises regime security at the expense of social welfare. The widespread impact of “wasta” (political patronage) and the ongoing existence of elite bargaining networks render the needs of non-aligned individuals with disabilities “invisible” within the official state structure. This study employs mixed-methods analysis to investigate disability rights and assess the effectiveness of CSOs, digital innovation, and caregiving burdens. It contends that for CSOs to enhance outcomes for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), structural reform and advocacy for disability-inclusive international funding in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) are imperative.

CSOs; Individuals with Disabilities; Iraq post-2020; human security; regime security; geopolitical stability; disability inclusion; wasta; hybrid political order; CRPD; digital innovation; intersectional vulnerability.

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